KARACHI: The crucial second round of talks between the Muttehida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the PML(N) will commence in London with MQM chief Altaf Hussain when Sindh Chief Minister Liaquat Ali Jatoi and MQM delegation, headed by Senator Aftab Ahmed Shaikh, land in the United Kingdom.

MQM delegation, comprising Senator Aftab Ahmed Shaikh, Dr Farooq Sattar and other members of Rabita Committee, and Sindh Chief Minister Liaquat Ali Jatoi left for London on Thursday noon from the Quaid-e-Azam International Airport in the same plane.

Federal Petroleum Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali is already in London on the advice of the prime minister, while Mr.Altaf Hussain has summoned his party members. On the part of the government, Jatoi has been sent to assist Nisar.

However, Deputy Convener MQM Coordination Committee Senator Aftab Ahmed Shaikh, before his departure for London, said: "There is no news right now. Both the sides have been reinforced as Jatoi is also proceeding to London and similar is the case with us."

He, however, claimed that "no headway has been made," but the circle for the talks has been expanded. Referring to the extension of the parole of MQM leaders and activists, he termed it as a positive sign from the government. He, however, claimed that he has not seen the extension orders himself, but had read about them in the newspapers.

Aftab claimed that as the process of talks was in progress, the "situation can turn out to be constructive or negative." Replying to a question, he said the Muttehida has not given up the issue of "no-go areas." He hoped that "within a day or so the position will be clear."

Aftab said: "Let us not speculate things as the present situation during the process of talks is highly sensitive." Aftab Shaikh had earlier held talks in Islamabad with the prime minister. Meanwhile, the MQM delegation, which also included Mrs Nasreen Jaleel, Shoaib Bukhari and Qazi Khalid, arrived in London. In a related development, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan held talks with Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz
Sharif, who is in London for treatment of his wife.